SCORE Supporting Flagstaff-Area Businesses with Free Resources

With more than 10,000 volunteer mentors nationwide, 32 in the Northern Arizona Chapter, SCORE is a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs start, grow, reimagine or exit a business at little or no cost.

We cover every area, every industry, every background. Often an aspiring entrepreneur has an idea that they want to pursue, but are not sure where to start. We’ll assign them a mentor or they can chose a mentor by answering questions on our website. Mentors can be local or provide guidance through virtual meetings.

In these meetings, we talk about where the businessperson is in their process, and we want to hear their vision. If this is a start-up, we likely will begin by guiding the client through a series of questions that support the formulation of a draft business plan.

As an arm of the Small Business Administration (SBA), we can direct entrepreneurs to resources, as well as tools and templates to be used in preparation for obtaining financing. We can also help them obtain financing, if that’s what they need.

Some clients are further along and may have an established business. They may want to expand or reposition themselves. They may have experienced a business disruption, such as the pandemic, and need a recovery plan. They might need guidance about selling their business, acquiring another company or setting themselves up for retirement. We have experienced professionals who we can tap to help guide clients through the many different stages and challenges that may occur in the life of a business.

For example, a chiropractor came to us right out of school. He wanted to open his own office. He was very talented and smart; however, he did not go through business school and recognized he needed some business guidance.   

We went through the steps of creating a business plan, which included marketing, outreach, promotions and advertising. He started speaking at seminars and on webinars. He signed a lease and had a grand opening.

But then, there was a bit of a lull. We didn’t have patients breaking down the doors, so we got creative with marketing and getting the word out. He began to offer “Lunch and Learn” events and partnered with neighboring businesses to provide added value. One was a masseuse who agreed to come over to the chiropractor’s office and offer five-minute massages to clients waiting in the lobby.

It’s been a year since that grand opening and I’m happy to report the business is doing well!

SCORE has been operating since 1964. Our No. 1 goal is to provide businesspeople with a positive experience and help with their business needs. We do this because we are interested in the economic development of our local communities. As an extension of the SBA, we are focused on promoting the continuation and growth of small businesses. Essentially, your success is our success.

SCORE mentors and online resources can help with:

• Advising Start-Ups
• Mentoring Entrepreneurs
• Fine-Tuning Business Plans
• Improving Marketing Strategies
• Increasing Cash Flow
• Repositioning Companies
• Scaling Businesses
• Guiding Tomorrow’s Leaders

Let us help you through whatever stage your business is in. You can find more information and a mentor at www.score.org/northernarizona or call us at 928-778-7438. FBN

By Teresa Zaret

Teresa Zaret is a certified mentor and chair of the SCORE Northern Arizona Chapter.